Transfer needle assembly

ABSTRACT

A transfer needle assembly for transferring fluid from a fluid source to a fluid collection container. The assembly includes support means adapted at its rear end to be associated with the collection container and at its forward end to the fluid source. A first cannula is mounted on the support means and is adapted to be connected at its forward end to the fluid source and at its rear end to the collection container. A second cannula is mounted on the support means and is adapted to be connected at its forward end to the fluid source and at its rear end to the atmosphere. In this manner, fluid is permitted to be transferred from a fluid source to a collection container by atmospheric pressure when the volume within the collection container is sufficiently increased.

United States Patent l 13,608,550

72 Inventor Theodore lLStawskl 2,973,758 3/1961 Murrish 123/272Unlon,N-J. 7 3,048,173 8/1962 Kompelien etal l28/221 g g ffi FOREIGNPATENTS 1e 11y [45] Patented Sept. 28,19." 1 1,010,029 3/1952 France128/272 [73] Assignee BectomDicklmonandCompm Primary Examiner-Warnerl-l.Camp East Rutherford, NJ. Attamey--Kane, Dalsimer, Kane, Sullivan andKurucz ABSTRACT: A transfer needle assembly for transfen'ing fluid froma fluid source to a fluid collection container. The as- [54] TRANSFERNEEDLE ASSEMBLY sembly includes support means adapted at its rear end tobe 7 4 m associated with the collection container and at its forward endto the fluid source. A first cannula is mounted on the support [52] US.Cl. 128/272 means d is adapted to be connected at its forward end to the[Illm 1 1/00 fluid source and at its rear end to the collectioncontainer. A [50] Field ofSeareh 128/272,

second cannula is mounted on the support means and is 221 adapted to beconnected at its forward end to the fluid source and at its rear end tothe atmosphere. In this manner, fluid is [56] Rehm cued permitted to betransferred from a fluid source to a collection UNITED STATES PATENTSContainer by atmospheric pressure when the volume within 2,833,2815/1958 Krug 128/221 the collection container is sufficiently increased.

i. 27 [/r I I I I z 1 J4 /z/ I PAIENTEU 8EP28 l97l SHEET 1 UF 2ATTORNEYS TRANSFER NEEDLE ASSEMBLY BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In thehospital art today it is common to use a prefilled unit dose syringewhich may be disposed of after the dose is administered. The efficiencyof such a device is readily apparent. The prefilled syringe can beparticularly useful to a doctor who has to administer one dose of aparticular medicament to one patient while not having to administer amultiplicity of doses to a multiplicity of patients within a reasonableshort period of time.

In large hospitals where there are many patients, a particularmedicament may be stored or lodged in a large container. This containerwould naturally contain a large number of doses in a common-volumetricstorage unit. It would therefore be very advantageous for a largehospital to be able to quickly and efiiciently remove single doses fromthe storage unit and locate them individually in a large number ofsyringes. In this way, both disposable and nondisposable syringes may beused to receive a particular dose from the large container foradministration thereafter to a particular patient. This would be a costsaving for the hospital and an economical advantage in that a largevolume of a particular medicament may be stored in one container ratherthan in a large number of prefilled syringes. The storage and costsavings are readily apparent.

It is also important that each syringe be quickly and efficiently filledfrom the vat or container without having to go through an exacting,difficult and tortuous filling procedure. Naturally, if a rapid andefficient filling process could be perfected, it would be unnecessary tomaintain a large supply of prefilled syringes readily at hand. This typeof arrangement would be particularly advantageous to the art and wouldbe extremely useful in large hospitals where great numbers of doses ofan individual medicament are often needed within a short period of time.Furthermore, a cost saving would be present in that the medicament couldbe purchased in large volume units and reusable syringes as well asunfilled disposable syringes may be employed. Certainly it is readilyapparent that the purchase of a large volume of a particular medicamentin one container would be less costly than purchasing a similar volumeof medicament contained in individual prefilled syringes.

One of the major problems currently existent with filling an individualsyringe from a large container is the necessity that the syringe andcontainer be inverted so that fluid may be drawn in a downward directionfrom the container into the syringe. The problem is aggravated when aparticularly large type of container for the medicament is employed.

It would certainly be timesaving and advantageous if the container couldsimply be placed on a surface such as a table and fluid drawn upwardlyfrom the container into a syringe. In this arrangement it would not benecessary for the operator to hold the container in most instances sincethe natural weight thereof would retain it in a steady position whilethe syringe is being filled. This is contrary to known practice in thefilling of syringes and would certainly add to the advantages of asystem when a large number of syringes are filled from a singlecontainer rather than the use of a large number of previously prefilledand sealed syringes.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore a primary objective of theinvention to provide a syringe-filling system containing theabove-discussed advantageous features whereby a large container may beplaced upright on a surface, a transfer needle assembly attached theretoand a syringe in turn attached to the transfer needle assembly so thatthe three elements are aligned vertically and then as the plunger of thesyringe is withdrawn within the syringe barrel, passages within thestructure of the transfer needle assembly will permit the atmosphere toforce fluid from the container upwardly through the transfer needleassembly into the syringe until the desired dose is extracted. Thisoperation may be accomplished accurately, quickly and efficiently.

In summary, it is accomplished by the use of a transfer needle assemblyfor transferring fluid from the fluid source to a fluid collectioncontainer. The assembly includes support means adapted at its rear endto be associated with the collection container and at its forward end tothe fluid source. A first cannula is mounted on the support means and isadapted to be connected at its forward end to the fluid source and atits rear end to the collection container. A second cannula is mounted onthe support and is adapted to be connected at its forward end to thefluid source and at its rear end to the atmosphere. When assembled inthis manner, fluid is permitted to be transferred from the fluid sourceto the collection container by atmospheric pressure when the volumewithin the collection container is sufficiently increased.

With the above objects, among other, in mind, reference is had to theattached drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is an exploded sectional elevation view of the transfer needleassembly of the invention shown in alignment with a fluid collectioncontainer and a fluid source;

FIG. 2 is a sectional elevation view thereof shown in assembly with afluid collection container and a fluid source with arrows showingdirection of flow of the fluid from the source to the container and thedirection of flow of air from the atmosphere into the fluid source;

FIG. 3 is an exploded sectional elevation view of an altemativeembodiment of a transfer needle assembly of the invention shown inalignment with a fluid collection container and a fluid source; and

FIG. 4 is a sectional elevation view thereof shown in assembled positionwith a fluid collection container and a fluid source with arrows showingdirection of flow of fluid from the fluid source to the fluid containerand the direction of flow of air from the atmosphere into the fluidsource.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An initial embodiment of theinvention is depicted in FIGS. 1 and 2. The transfer needle assembly ofthis embodiment includes a first cannula 21, a second cannula 22, afirst part 23 and a second molded part 24. Cannulas 21 and 22 may beconstructed of a common type of material such as normally utilizedstainless steel. Cannula 21 is also of a much narrower gauge than secondcannula 22 so that it may be extended through the bore 27 thereof.Cannula 22 has a forward pointed end 28. Bore 27 extends through theentire length of cannula 22 and cannula 21 likewise has a bore 29 whichextends its entire length.

Molded portions 23 and 24 may be constructed of any common type of solidmaterial commonly utilized in this environment such as a plastic, forinstance, polypropylene.

Shown in position to be connected to the transfer needle assembly is afluid collection container 30. Container 30 includes a plunger 32attached to a stopper 33 withing the barrel of the container andsealingly engaging the interior walls thereof. A reduced forward tipportion on the syringe barrel contains an opening at the forward tip ofthe barrel through which to receive fluid into an enlarged collectionchamber 49 provided between stopper 33 and the reduced forward tipportion of the container when plunger 32 is retracted. Naturally, thetransfer needle assembly of this embodiment and all other embodimentsshown or suggested are readily adaptable for use with many other typesof commonly used fluid collection containers.

Positioned below the transfer needle assembly in an upright position isa fluid source 34. This may be any large container containing a largevolume of medicament having a pierceable sealing member 35 sealing itsupper end and it may be placed in normal upright position on any flatsurface such as a table or laboratory working surface area.

First member 23 has a body portion 36 and an upstanding cylindricalportion 37. Upstanding portion 37 has a hollow in terior with theinterior surface thereof 38 having a frustoconcial configuration withthe wider portion at the top. Communicating with the hollow center ofupstanding portio37 is a bore 39 in body portion 36 of first member 23.Mo nted on bore 39 is second cannula 22. The bore 27 of cannula 22communicates with the hollow interior of upstanding portion 37 to form acontinuous passage through first member 23.

Second member 24 contains a body portion 40, an upstanding cylindricalhollow portion 41 extending upwardly from body portion 40 and afrustoconical shaped downwardly extending portion 42 which tapersinwardly as it extends downwardly from body portion 40. A continuouspassageway 43 extends through body portion 40 and frustoconical portion42 and communicates with the hollow interior 44 of upward extendingcylindrical portion 41. This provides a continuous passageway throughsecond member 24. A plurality of downwardly extending ribs 45 surroundthe circumferential outer surface of portion 42 which facilitates properengagement with the tapered inner surface of upstanding portion 37 ofmember 23 when members 23 and 24 are properly connected.

Cannula 21 is mounted in passageway 43 of member 24 by any convenientmeans such as an epoxy resin and similarly cannula 22 is mounted inpassageway 39 of member 23 by a similar type of epoxy resin to provide afirm mounting for both cannulas in their respective members. It may alsobe noted that the upper internal surface of cylindrical hollow portion41 has an outward bevel 46 to facilitate the reception of collectioncontainer 30 therein when transfer needle assembly is assembled thereto.

FIG. 2 of the drawing shows the respective elements in assembledposition so that a fluid dose of a medicament is being transferred fromfluid source 34 into collection container 30. In operation, to achievethis position, member 24 is inserted into member 23 so that cannula 21passes through the bore of cannula 22 and the top 25 of cannula 21extends beyond the tip 28 of cannula 22. Ribs 45 of frustoconical-shapedportion 42 of member 24 engage with the inner surface 38 of member 23 soas to restrict the movement of portion 42 within portion 37 so that itwill not seat at the bottom surface thereof but will leave a small airpassageway 47 as shown in FIG. 2. Passageway 47 communicates with bore27 cannula 22 and spaces 48 which exist between each successive pair ofribs 45 to provide a series of passageways around the circumference ofthe respective members 23 and 24 from the atmosphere through the space48' between the bottom surface of body portion 40 and the top surface ofupstanding portion 37 and communicating passageways 48, 47 and 27. Thiscompletes assembly of transfer needle assembly which then may beinserted through the punctureable top 35 of the fluid container 34.Pointed tips and 28 on the two cannulas facilitate entrance into thefluid source 34. As seen in FIG. 2, tip 25 extends well down within thefluid source while tip 28 is positioned near the upper portion of fluidsource 34. Assembly 20 is lowered into fluid source 34 until the bottomsurface of body 36 engages the top of fluid source 34 and is seatedthereon.

A collection container such as container is then inserted into hollowcenter 44 of portion 41 until the tip 26 of cannula 21 in the upperportion extends through the opening in the reduced forward tip portionof the container and into the interior of container 30. In thisposition, a continuous passageway is now provided through bore 29 ofcannula 21 into container 30. Since stopper 33 sealingly engages theinner walls of container 30, a collection chamber 49 is now providedbetween stopper 33 and the forward tip portion of the container toreceive the required dose.

Plunger 32 is then withdrawn within the barrel of container 30 until thedesired volume for chamber 49 is attained.

Atmospheric pressure will then cause air to pass through the passagewaybetween the top of member 23 and the bottom of member 24, as representedby space 48', through the passageway 48 between ribs 45, opening 47 andfinally through bore 27 of cannula 22 into fluid source 34. The atmospheric pressure causing the air to flow in this manner will begreater than the pressure within chamber 49 in collection container 30and therefore the air will force fluid through bore 29 in cannula 21into chamber 49 of collection container 30 until the desired amount ofliquid is present therein. Container 30 may then be removed from tip 26of cannula 21 and a conventional sealing plug (not shown) may bepositioned on the forward end of container 30 to seal the opening at theforward tip thereof thereby providing a collection container 30 insubstantially the same condition as a prefilled syringe would be priorto use. In the above-discussed manner, a great number of syringes may bequickly and efficiently filled as the need occurs from one large fluidsource 34. Therefore, there is no need to store for a lengthy period oftime a great number of prefilled containers. The needle assembly of thisinvention renders it possible to quickly and efficiently fill amultiplicity of containers similar to collection container 30 from onelarge fluid source such as indicated by container 34.

An alternative embodiment is illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4. The operationof this transfer assembly 20' is similar to that of the previouslydiscussed embodiment in that it facilitates the preparation of a largenumber of predetermined doses in individual collection containers suchas the one illustrated in FIG. 3 and designated by the reference numeral50 from a fluid source such as that shown in 34'. The transfer assembly20' itself is once again constructed of parts 51 and 52 which whenassembled and connected to fluid source 34 and collection container 50facilitates the transfer of a predetermined dose to a large number ofsuccessive collection containers. Member 51 of the transfer needleassembly 20 may be constructed of a molded plastic material such aspolypropylene or any one of a number of other plastics which willoperate satisfactorily as well as other types of materials includingmetallic materials. Member 51 includes a body portion 52 and avertically upwardly extending hollow cylindrical portion 53. Cylindricalportion 53 is open at the top as in the case of the previous embodimentand its hollow interior 54 contains a plurality of vertical spaced ribs68 extending inwardly. Each rib 68 has an annular shoulder 55 near thelower end thereof and a beveled annular shoulder 56 on its interiorsurface adjacent the upper edge thereof. The shoulders 55 and 56 fonnpositioning and retaining means for member 52 of transfer needleassembly 20 as shown in the assembled configuration of FIG. 4. Member 52is generally constructed of a flexible punctureable material such asrubber or any other variety of similar materials which will operatesatisfactorily. Member 52 includes a flat circular body portion 57 andan annular upwardly projecting portion 58. The interior surface ofportion 58 tapers outwardly as it extends upwardly thereby forming ahollow interior 59 which has a frustoconical configuration adapted toreceive a frustoconical forward portion of a collection container suchas that shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. Naturally, the interior surface ofportion 58 may assume the configuration desired for the particularcollection container 50 to be utilized with the transfer needleassembly.

Returning to the structure of member 51 there are two substantiallyparallel bores or passageways 60 and 61 in portion 52 thereof. Thesebores 61 and 60 are of substantially the same diameter and have mountedtherein cannulas 61 and 60 respectively. Naturally, the mounting ofcannulas 61' and 60' may be accomplished by any common means such as byone of many different types of epoxy resin. In this embodiment, it willbe noted that cannulas 61' and 60 are of substantially the same diameterand do not extend concentrically with respect to each other. However,cannula 60 is similar in size to cannula 21 in the previous embodimentand is a cannula having two pointed ends 62 and 63. Cannula 60' isconsiderably longer than cannula 61' so that the upwardly extendingpoint 62 extends well within hollow chamber 54 in member 51 andsufficiently so that point 63 extends a considerable distance beyondpoint 64 of cannula 61' in a downward direction. Cannula 52 has only onepointed end 64 at its lower end and the upper end thereof issubstantially flush with the upper surface of portion 52 of member 51.

When transfer needle assembly is assembled, flexible member 52 ispositioned within rigid member 51 so that point 62 and the upper portionof cannula 60' extend therethrough. 5 When properly positioned, therounded portion 57 of member 52 has its lower surface resting onshoulder 55 and its vertical exterior surfaces contacting parallel ribs68 on the inner surface of cylindrical portion 53 of member 51. Thespaces between these vertical ribs form passageways 69 between flex- 1ible member 52 and the inner walls of cylindrical portion 53 to allowair to pass therebetween through passageways 69 and into bore 70extending the full length of cannula 61'. Beveled shoulders 56 andshoulderSS of each rib serve to maintain member 52 in position.

Therefore, when transfer needle assembly 20' is thus connected, it willoperate similar to transfer needle assembly 20 of the previouslydiscussed embodiment. The coupling assembly 20 to fluid source 34' andcollection container 50 and the flow of air and fluid resultingtherefrom is illustrated in FIG. 4. It will be noted that after members51 and 52 have been assembled, assembly 20' is projected throughpierceable top 35 until the bottom surface of portion 52 of member 51becomes flush with the top surface of fluid source 34'. Cannulas 60 and61' will then extend within fluid source 34' with tip 63 of cannula 60extending to a considerably greater depth than tip 64 of cannula 61.This is to facilitate the flow of air into fluid source 34' and fluidfrom source 34' into collection container 50 similar to the previouslydiscussed embodiment.

A collection container 50 may then be attached to the upper portion ofassembly 20'. As in the previous embodiment, with this particularembodiment, a collection container such as that shown in FIGS. 3 and 4will operate most effectively although other common types of containersare readily adaptable or use in this environment; This assembly includesaplunger 65 attached to a stopper 66 within the barrel of thecontainerand sealingly engaging the interior walls thereof. An opening 67 ispositioned at the lower or forward tip of collection container 50thereby permitting communication to a fluid collection chamber 71between stopper 66and opening 67. Therefore when collection container 50is attached to transfer needle assembly 20' by inserting the forwardportion thereof into the hollow tapered opening 59in member 52, tip 62and the upper portion of cannula 60' will enter opening 67 to provide acontinuous passageway between fluid source 34' and collection fluidchamber 71. When the elements are thus assembled, plunger 65 may beupwardly withdrawn within the barrel of collection container to increasethe volume of 50 chamber 71 by enlarging chamber 71 to the desired sizethereby permitting atmospheric pressure to project fluid into chamber71. This is accomplished by air passing through passageways 69 betweenmember 52 and portion 53 of member Si and into the bore of cannula 61'where it will pass therethrough out through tip 64! and into fluidsource 34. Shoulder prevents member 52 from being projected to the fulldepth of portion 53 and cooperate in providing a space or passage area72 to permit communication and flow between passages 69 and the bore ofcannula 61. Fluid is then forced into tip 63 of cannula 60' upwardly andout through tip 62 into collection chamber 7R until collection chamber71 within container 50 is filled with the desired dosage. It can bereadily seen that the operation is quite similar to that described inconnection with the previous embodiment.

When the desired dosage is drawn in chamber 71 the collection container50 may be removed and another container attached thereto and theoperation repeated quickly and efficiently to attain the desired numberof containers for immediate use. This assembly may be readily adapted sothat member 52 forms the sealing plug for opening 67 in container 30when it has been filled and removed, in which case a new member 52 wouldbe utilized with each container 50 to be filled. Alternatively, member52 may be retained as part of the permanent transfer needle assembly forthe filling of a succes- 75 sion of containers and a separate plug ,beprovided for each filled container as in the previously discussedembodiment. When the desired number of filled containers has beenobtained, the assembly 20' may be removed from fluid source 34' and top35' will reseal to maintain whatever fluid is still present in source 34in condition for use when needed at a later date. In this manner, theabove-mentioned advantageous features of such a transfer needle assemblysuch as assemblies 20 and 20' are adequately achieved. It should benoted once again that there is no need to invert the fluid source 34 or34' at any time and that assemblies 20 and 20 permit fluid to bewithdrawn in a vertically upward direction quickly and efiiciently inrepeated doses.

Thus the above-discussed objects of the invention, among other, areeffectively attained.

I claim:

l. A transfer needle assembly for transferring a predetermined amount offluid from the interior of a fluid source to a plurality of successivesyringes, with each syringe including a barrel having an opening at theforward end thereof and a plunger slidably mounted therein in sealingengagement with the interior walls of. the barrel so that movement ofthe plunger varies the volume interior of the syringe, said assemblycomprising:

support means adapted at its rear end to be removably connected to theforward open end of a syringe barrel and at its forward end to beremovably connected to a fluid source;

a first cannula having-a'passage therethrough mounted on said supportmeans and adapted to be connected :15 its forward end to the interior ofa fluid source and at its rear end to the interior of the syringebarrel;

said first cannula being elongatedso as to extend into the fluid of thefluid source when the fluid source is in an upright position;

a second cannula having a passage therethrough mounted in said supportmeans and adapted to be connected at its forward end to the interior ofsaid fluid source and at its rear end to the atmosphere;

said second cannula being shorter in length than said first cannula sothat the forward 'tip thereof does not extend into the fluid in saidfluid source when the fluid source is in an upright position;

the fluid source, transfer needle assembly and syringe being arranged inascending vertical order and the forward end of the syringe being insealing engagement with said assembly so that, when the plunger of thesyringe is withdrawn, the volume in said barrel is increased andatmospheric pressure will cause fluid to flow from the fluid source tothe syringe to the desired level therein thereby facilitating thetransfer of fluid from the fluid source upwardly into the syringewithout the necessity of inverting the engaged fluid source, assemblyand syringe; and

said assembly permitting the filling of a plurality of successivesyringes in the same manner from the same fluid source without thenecessity of inverting the fluid source.

2. The invention in accordance with claim 1 wherein said support meansincludes a first member having an annular portion tapering outwardly andupwardly therefrom, the opening in said annular portion communicatingwith a bore in the remainder of said first member to form a continuouspassage therethrough, said second cannula mounted in said bore of saidfirst member and extending downwardly therefrom, a second member havinga frustoconical portion extending downwardly and inwardly therefrom, andupstanding hollow cylindrical portion extending upwardly from saidsecond member, a passageway extending through the said second member andcommunicating with the opening in said hollow cylindrical portion, saidfirst cannula having a smaller outer diameter than the inner diameter ofsaid second cannula mounted in said second member so as to extendupwardly into the opening of said cylindrical portion and downwardlyfrom said second member beyond the lower end of said second cannula,said hollow cylindrical portion and said upwardly extending portion ofsaid first cannula adapted to be connected to said fluid collectioncontainer, said frustoconical portion of said second member adapted tobe mounted in said annular portion of said first member with said firstcannula extending through the passage in said second cannula and beyond,means on said first and second members to provide a continuouspassageway from said fluid source to the atmosphere when said supportmeans is connected with a fluid source with said cannulas insertedtherein and is connected with a fluid collection container.

3. The invention in accordance wit claim 2 wherein said means on saidfirst and second members to provide a passageway includes a plurality ofspaced downwardly extending ribs on the circumference of saidfrustoconical portion of said second member which engage with the innersurface of said annular portion of said first member to restrict theplacement of said frustoconical portion into said annular portion toless than its entire length so that when said support is connected to afluid source and a fluid collection container and the volume isincreased in said collection container, air from the atmosphere willpass through the space between the upper rim of said annular portion andthe second member, between the ribs on said frustoconical portion, andthrough the passageway in said second cannula into the fluid sourcethereby forcing the desired amount of fluid through the first cannulainto the fluid collection container.

4. The invention in accordance with claim 1 wherein said support meansincludes a first member having a hollow cylindrical portion extendingupwardly therefrom, a first bore in the remainder of said first membercommunicating with the opening in said cylindrical portion of form afirst continuous passage therethrough, a second bore in said firstmember substantially aligned with and spaced from said first bore andalso communicating with the opening in said cylindrical portion to forma second continuous passage therethrough, said second cannula mounted insaid second bore in said first member and extending downwardlytherefrom, said first cannula mounted in said first bore so as to extendupwardly into the opening of said cylindrical portion and downwardlyfrom said first member beyond the lower end of said second cannula, asecond flexible punctureable member adapted to be mounted in the hollowcylindrical portion of said first member and to receive the upper endportion of said first cannula therethrough, said second member and theupper portion of said first cannula extending therethrough adapted to beconnected to said fluid collection container, means on said secondmember and said first member to provide a continuous passageway fromsaid fluid source to the atmosphere when said support means is connectedwith a fluid source with said cannulas inserted therein and is connectedwith a fluid container.

S. The invention in accordance with claim 4 wherein said means on saidfirst member and second member to provide a passageway includes aplurality of spaced upwardly extending ribs on the inner circumferenceof said cylindrically shaped portion of said first member, said ribsdepressing said second member at points around its outer circumferencewhen said second member is inserted into said first member to provide aseries of air passageways between the engaging surfaces of said firstand second members, a circumferential shoulder formed on the interiorsurface of said cylindrical portion of said first member adjacent thelower end thereof to restrict the downward extension of said secondmember into said first member so that when said support is connected toa fluid source and a fluid collection container and the volume isincreased in said collection container, air from the atmosphere willpass through the passageways between the first and second members andthrough the passageway in said second cannula into the fluid sourcethereby forcing the desired amount of fluid through the first cannulainto the fluid collection container.

6. The invention in accordance with claim 1 wherein the needle assemblyis connected to a syringe and is connected to a fluid source.

7. A method of transferring a predetermined amount of fluid from theinterior of a fluid source to a plurality of successive syringes, witheach syringe including a barrel having an opening at the forward endthereof and a plunger slidably mounted therein in sealing engagementwith the interior walls of the barrel so that movement of the plungervaries the volume interior of the syringe and utilizing a transferneedle assembly including support means, a first cannula mounted thereonand extending upwardly and downwardly therefrom into the fluid in thefluid source and a second cannula mounted thereon and being longer thanthe first cannula and extending downwardly therefrom into the fluidsource and not the fluid contained therein and the second cannula beingopen to atmosphere at its upper end comprising:

connecting the lower ends of said cannulas to the fluid source;

connecting the upper end of said first cannula and said support means tothe syringe;

withdrawing the plunger of the syringe so as to provide an increase involume within said syringe so that air enters the upper end of thesecond cannula and passes into the fluid source to force fluid throughthe first cannula into the syringe;

arranging said fluid source, transfer needle assembly and syringe inascending vertical order so that when the volume is increased within thesyringe, fluid will flow from the fluid source to the syringe therebyfacilitating the transfer of fluid from the fluid source upward into thesyringe to collect fluid from the fluid source without the necessity ofinverting the engaged fluid source, transfer needle assembly andsyringe; and

removing the syringe and filling a successive number of additionalsyringes consecutively in the same manner from the same fluid sourcewithout the necessity of inverting the fluid source.

1. A transfer needle assembly for transferring a predetermined amount offluid from the interior of a fluid source to a plurality of successivesyringes, with each syringe including a barrel having an opening at theforward end thereof and a plunger slidably mounted therein in sealingengagement with the interior walls of the barrel so that movement of theplunger varies the volume interior of the syringe, said assemblycomprising: support means adapted at its rear end to be removablyconnected To the forward open end of a syringe barrel and at its forwardend to be removably connected to a fluid source; a first cannula havinga passage therethrough mounted on said support means and adapted to beconnected at its forward end to the interior of a fluid source and atits rear end to the interior of the syringe barrel; said first cannulabeing elongated so as to extend into the fluid of the fluid source whenthe fluid source is in an upright position; a second cannula having apassage therethrough mounted in said support means and adapted to beconnected at its forward end to the interior of said fluid source and atits rear end to the atmosphere; said second cannula being shorter inlength than said first cannula so that the forward tip thereof does notextend into the fluid in said fluid source when the fluid source is inan upright position; the fluid source, transfer needle assembly andsyringe being arranged in ascending vertical order and the forward endof the syringe being in sealing engagement with said assembly so that,when the plunger of the syringe is withdrawn, the volume in said barrelis increased and atmospheric pressure will cause fluid to flow from thefluid source to the syringe to the desired level therein therebyfacilitating the transfer of fluid from the fluid source upwardly intothe syringe without the necessity of inverting the engaged fluid source,assembly and syringe; and said assembly permitting the filling of aplurality of successive syringes in the same manner from the same fluidsource without the necessity of inverting the fluid source.
 2. Theinvention in accordance with claim 1 wherein said support means includesa first member having an annular portion tapering outwardly and upwardlytherefrom, the opening in said annular portion communicating with a borein the remainder of said first member to form a continuous passagetherethrough, said second cannula mounted in said bore of said firstmember and extending downwardly therefrom, a second member having afrustoconical portion extending downwardly and inwardly therefrom, andupstanding hollow cylindrical portion extending upwardly from saidsecond member, a passageway extending through the said second member andcommunicating with the opening in said hollow cylindrical portion, saidfirst cannula having a smaller outer diameter than the inner diameter ofsaid second cannula mounted in said second member so as to extendupwardly into the opening of said cylindrical portion and downwardlyfrom said second member beyond the lower end of said second cannula,said hollow cylindrical portion and said upwardly extending portion ofsaid first cannula adapted to be connected to said fluid collectioncontainer, said frustoconical portion of said second member adapted tobe mounted in said annular portion of said first member with said firstcannula extending through the passage in said second cannula and beyond,means on said first and second members to provide a continuouspassageway from said fluid source to the atmosphere when said supportmeans is connected with a fluid source with said cannulas insertedtherein and is connected with a fluid collection container.
 3. Theinvention in accordance with claim 2 wherein said means on said firstand second members to provide a passageway includes a plurality ofspaced downwardly extending ribs on the circumference of saidfrustoconical portion of said second member which engage with the innersurface of said annular portion of said first member to restrict theplacement of said frustoconical portion into said annular portion toless than its entire length so that when said support is connected to afluid source and a fluid collection container and the volume isincreased in said collection container, air from the atmosphere willpass through the space between the upper rim of said annular portion andthe second member, between the ribs on said frustoconical portion, andthrough the passageway in said second cannula into the fluid sourcethereby forcing the desired amount of fluid through the first cannulainto the fluid collection container.
 4. The invention in accordance withclaim 1 wherein said support means includes a first member having ahollow cylindrical portion extending upwardly therefrom, a first bore inthe remainder of said first member communicating with the opening insaid cylindrical portion of form a first continuous passagetherethrough, a second bore in said first member substantially alignedwith and spaced from said first bore and also communicating with theopening in said cylindrical portion to form a first continuous passagetherethrough, said second cannula mounted in said second bore in saidfirst member and extending downwardly therefrom, said first cannulamounted in said first bore so as to extend upwardly into the opening ofsaid cylindrical portion and downwardly from said first member beyondthe lower end of said second cannula, a second flexible punctureablemember adapted to be mounted in the hollow cylindrical portion of saidfirst member and to receive the upper end portion of said first cannulatherethrough, said second member and the upper portion of said firstcannula extending therethrough adapted to be connected to said fluidcollection container, means on said second member and said first memberto provide a continuous passageway from said fluid source to theatmosphere when said support means is connected with a fluid source withsaid cannulas inserted therein and is connected with a fluid container.5. The invention in accordance with claim 4 wherein said means on saidfirst member and second member to provide a passageway includes aplurality of spaced upwardly extending ribs on the inner circumferenceof said cylindrically shaped portion of said first member, said ribsdepressing said second member at points around its outer circumferencewhen said second member is inserted into said first member to provide aseries of air passageways between the engaging surfaces of said firstand second members, a circumferential shoulder formed on the interiorsurface of said cylindrical portion of said first member adjacent thelower end thereof to restrict the downward extension of said secondmember into said first member so that when said support is connected toa fluid source and a fluid collection container and the volume isincreased in said collection container, air from the atmosphere willpass through the passageways between the first and second members andthrough the passageway in said second cannula into the fluid sourcethereby forcing the desired amount of fluid through the first cannulainto the fluid collection container.
 6. The invention in accordance withclaim 1 wherein the needle assembly is connected to a syringe and isconnected to a fluid source.
 7. A method of transferring a predeterminedamount of fluid from the interior of a fluid source to a plurality ofsuccessive syringes, with each syringe including a barrel having anopening at the forward end thereof and a plunger slidably mountedtherein in sealing engagement with the interior walls of the barrel sothat movement of the plunger varies the volume interior of the syringeand utilizing a transfer needle assembly including support means, afirst cannula mounted thereon and extending upwardly and downwardlytherefrom into the fluid in the fluid source and a second cannulamounted thereon and being longer than the first cannula and extendingdownwardly therefrom into the fluid source and not the fluid containedtherein and the second cannula being open to atmosphere at its upper endcomprising: connecting the lower ends of said cannulas to the fluidsource; connecting the upper end of said first cannula and said supportmeans to the syringe; withdrawing the plunger of the syringe so as toprovide an increase in volume within said syringe so that air enters theupper end of the second cannula and passes into the fluid source toforce fluid through tHe first cannula into the syringe; arranging saidfluid source, transfer needle assembly and syringe in ascending verticalorder so that when the volume is increased within the syringe, fluidwill flow from the fluid source to the syringe thereby facilitating thetransfer of fluid from the fluid source upward into the syringe tocollect fluid from the fluid source without the necessity of invertingthe engaged fluid source, transfer needle assembly and syringe; andremoving the syringe and filling a successive number of additionalsyringes consecutively in the same manner from the same fluid sourcewithout the necessity of inverting the fluid source.